Simmons has come under fire after a video surfaced of an officer allegedly pepper spraying two teens in handcuffs in a holding area at police headquarters. Simmons said the incident was not brought to his attention until March and a report was not completed on the incident until May 6. Simmons said the officer who allegedly pepper sprayed the two teens still works for the department but no longer works with inmates.

Simmons said he believes officers below him may have been slow in reporting the incident because they are unhappy with what he has done as chief, and are trying to find a way for him to be removed.

The Board of Aldermen voted 4-3 not to reappoint Simmons. Despite the vote, Alton Mayor Brant Walker said he will do everything in his power to keep Simmons. Brant said he is disappointed in what the video showed but believes there are many reasons Simmons should be retained.

"It's in the numbers, crime is down," Brant said. "What more could you expect from your police chief? The majority of the community backs this chief."